Dreams in China?

6/12/10


China is a large country. China has the world’s fastest growing economy. Compared to the United States, with its 3% growth in GDP, and the 2% growth in GDP for many of the European countries, our growth is really fast. Not even the 7% GDP growth of Russia and India can rival us. In these rapidly developing times, the vast majority of us young adults should be filled with dreams, because rapid development and changing times bring more opportunities, more wealth and the people should have more reasons to obtain this wealth.

I’ve read many articles that mention the “American Dream”. It’s a belief that if you’re in America, you can achieve your dreams through hard work, courage, creativity and determination. This achievement has no boundaries and does not rely on help from others. Indeed, UCLA history professor Ronald Mellor analyzed the key factors of the American Dream: everybody has an opportunity to succeed; success is dependent on one’s abilities and work effort rather than family ties or background; everyone has equal rights; everyone has the freedom of belief.

The American Dream is a product of the United States several hundred years ago during its times of rapid development. Even though America’s development is not as rapid now, the American Dream lives on today. The African-American president is the latest manifestation of the American Dream.

I am already 33 years old. I graduated from a respected university in China. However, I find that in China, I am unable to obtain a better life, no matter how hard I try. My wife’s wish is to be able to buy whatever she wants to eat in the supermarket. I am still struggling to satisfy her low ideals. Owning a house or apartment is something I don’t even dare to think about. Although I am very unsatisfied with my current lifestyle, but my situation in today’s China is not the worst.

When I entered university, only one million students were accepted that year. Each year China sees approximately 18 million births, which means that about 17 million people with the same age as me did not go to university. I can’t imagine their life today. What about those born in farming families, and are forever relegated to the farmer class? I do not know what their dreams are, or what sort of dreams this rapidly growing economy in China can afford them.

Recently, Foxconn’s employees jump off buildings to commit suicide one after another. All the media in this country and around the world are focused on this story. Everyone’s thinking and investigating the causes. I just want to ask, what kind of dream can I have in China? Who is depriving us from dreaming and achieving those dreams?